Clutch mechanism



Dec. 24, 1940. BAER I 2,225,939

y cL'rcH MECHANISM Org-nalFiled Nov. 23. 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Howard aer Dec. 24, 1940.

I H. BAER CLUTCH MECHANISM Origin-al Filed Nov. 23, 1934 2 sheets-sheet 2 ro MAG/vero 'NVENmR- f Howard aer BY 7% www M2 Ef Patented Dec. 24, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Eclipse Aviation Corporation,

East Orange,

N. J., a corporation of New Jersey Griginal application November 23, 1934, Serial No.

754,531. Divided and this application September 29, 1937, Serial No. 166,425

7 claims. icl'. 19e-4s) This invention relates to clutch mechanism, and particularly to the operation of a plurality of clutch elements in a predetermined time relationship.

5 The object is to `provide improved mechanism adapted for the indicated purpose, together with improvements in parts adapted for use in such mechanism.

One embodiment of the present invention is l illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference characters indicate like parts throughout the several views; it being expressly understood that the drawings are for purposes of illustration only and are not designed as a l definition of the limits of the invention, reference being had for this purpose to the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a view in elevation of the embodiment above referred to;

Fig. 2 is a diagram of the electrical circuits and parts involved in the control of certain component parts of the complete unit of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 3 is a diagram of a somewhat different arrangement of control circuits and parts.

Referring more particularly toFigs. 1 and 2, the mechanism constituting the subject matter of the present invention when applied to the duty of starting a pair of internal combustion engines in sequence, may be mounted as a unit on the crank-case of the first engine, 4a portion of said crank-case being shown at 4, and is adapted to be drivably connected to a rotating member of the second engine to be started, such as the l crank-shaft, a portion of the latter being illustrated at 5. The mechanism proper is constituted by a unitary structure enclosed in a sectional housing 6 which is substantially cylindrical 60 tive connection (by means hereinafter described) with crank |4 and also Vwith a barrel I1 which is rotatablyA mounted as by means of ball bearings f Il inthe forward end of housing G. An interiorly threaded nut or sleeve I9 is concentrically dis- `posed within barrel I1 and is drivably connected to said barrel by means of a plurality of friction discs 20. A plurality of coil springs 2| are provided to maintain discs 20 in frictional engagement, and a locking ring 22 is preferably threaded into the inner end of the barrel to vary the 5 pressure exerted by said springs on the discs.

Mounted for rotary and longitudinal movement within sleeve I9 is a threaded shaft 23 to the inner end of which is secured a nut24 adapted to engage an annular shoulder 25 provided with- 10 in said sleeve. The outer end of shaft 23 carries a jaw clutch member 26 adapted to drivably engage a jaw clutch member 2l secured to or integral with engine member 5.

Means including a metal cup-shaped member l5 28 and a flexible washer 29 are preferably associated with the inner end of the barrel structure to prevent oil from seeping into the housing 6 from the engine crank-case. In the form shown,

a rod 30 slidably extends through barrel |1 and 20 shaft 23 to transmit an axial thrust to shaft 23 `and thereby cause jaw 26 to engage jaw 21, and

the inner end of rod 30 connects with a shifter fork 30a corresponding to the shifter fork of the conventional inertia starter such as that shown 25 in greater detail in Lansing Patent No. 1,833,948, wherein a similar shifter fork is designated by reference character |02.

In the form shown, the flywheel I6 has a hub slidably engaged with a shaft 3| which in turn 3'0 receives a pinion 35 that meshes with a gear 32 which is rotatably mounted by means of a stub shaft 33, preferably formed integrally therewith, in ball bearing 34 carried by a boss formed on the transverse wall or diaphragm 36. The outerr '35 end of shaft 33 is provided with gear teeth constituting a pinion 39 that meshes with an internal y ring gear 40, the hub 4| of which is rotatably mounted on an extension 42 of a barrel member l1. The hub 4| of ring gear 40,15 provided with 40 gear teeth and constitutes a pinion or sun gear 44 that meshes with a plurality of planetary gears, one of which is shown in elevation at 46, said planetary gears preferably beingthree 'in number and being rotatably mounted on the bar- 45 rel lI1 in any suitable manner, as by-means of bushings 41 surrounding screws 43 threadedv into said barrel member. A retaining ring 5| secured by the screws 48 retains the planetary gear's on the bushings 41, and an internal ring gear l52 that 50 is secured to the casing by means vof screws 53 surrounds and meshes with said planetary gears. The rotation of ywheel I6 is thus transmitted through a reduction gear train constituted by pinion 35, gears 32, 39, 40, 44, 46 and I2 to the 55 Lso barrel I1. The rotation of barrel I1 is in turn transmitted to the jaw 26 through the friction clutch discs 20 above described, and the shaft 23. In the form shown, the internal combustion engine comprises the usual cylinder 9 and liner 50 in which reciprocates the piston I having a wrist-pin 49 to Which is pivoted the connecting rod The end of the connecting rod II is rotatably mounted on crank-pin I2 by means of a suitable roller bearing 55, the pin I2 being shown as integral with crank-arm I4, the hub 56 of which is drivably connected to the hub of a friction clutch 51 and secured on said hub 56 by a bolt 6| and nut 62. Hub 56 and clutch 51 are rotatably mounted by means of ball bearings I and 58, the latter also constituting a supporting bearing for one end of shaft 3|, while a third bearing 59 rotatably supports the opposite end of shaft 3 I and transverse wall 36 maintains these parts in proper assembled relation. The other crank hub 1| is mounted in a second ball bearing I5 supported in a recess formed in one of the casing sections 12, and a retaining ynut is threaded on the inner end of the shaft driven by the hub 1| through the driving connection shown at 16. Magneto 18, being driven by shaft 15, rotates at engine speed, and supplies spark to the ignition plug (not shown) of cylinder 9.

For initially energizing the flywheel I6, a hand crank or other prime mover is used to rotate shaft 86 and gear 89 through an overrunning clutch 9| having the inner race integral with the shaft 86 and the outer race forming pari'l of gear 89. The reason for this clutch is to prevent the shaft 86 from rotating while the engine is running. Gear 89 drives pinions 90 and 94, the latter being formed on shaft 33, and the former being adapted to run as an idler about the supporting stud 92.

From the foregoing description it will be apparent that the connections 86, 89, 90, 94, 32, 35 and 3| provide a means for storing energy into the flywheel I6 prior to connection of the flywheel with the engine crankshaft I2, such connection 45 being subsequently established through operation of the flywheel shifting means which, as shown, is constituted by a ball bearing thrust member or collar 93 which is peripherally grooved to receive pins 94 and 95 extending from the 50 arms 96 of shifter yoke 91, the latter being adapted to oscillate with the actuating pin or rockshaft 98 journaled in the bearings or bosses 99 and |00, extending inwardly from oppositesides in the housing 6. As shown in both Figs. 1 and 2,

55 this actuating shafztI 98 passes through a switch assembly enclosed in a casing |0| and at its upper end it receives an arm |02 and link |03 constituting the manually operable means for actuating the shifter yoke 91 and at the same time exercising an indirect control over the energization of the ignition circuit for the engine 9 and also the energization of the means for operating the clutch actuating members 30 and 30a which cause a meshing of the engine engaging clutch member 26 with the engine clutch member 21.

As shown in Figs. 1 and'Z the last named clutch operating means includes a solenoid having a winding |04 surrounding a magnetizable core |05 and the rod |06 connected thereto at one end, the opposite end of the rod being pivotally connected to an arm |08 which is adapted to swing about the axis of the rock-shaft |09, the upper end of which operatively engages said arm |08 and the lower end of which operatively engages the shifter yoke 30a, the said parts |09 and 30a being normally held in the clutch .disengaging position by the action of a coiled torsion spring one end of which abuts the rod 30 and the opposite end of which abuts the housing boss I I2, the construction and operation of these last named parts being identical with that of the corresponding parts shown in the Lansing Patent No. 1,833,948 above referred to.

Instead of the direct energization of the winding |04, which is shown in the aforesaid Lansing patent, the present invention involves an indirect and selectively delayed energization so as to establish a definite time sequence as between the operation of the flywheel shifting means and the means for engaging the clutch elements 26 and 21, such time interval being so adjusted as to insure the starting of the engine 9 and the consequent re-acceleration of the flywheel I6 prior to the establishment of driving connection between said flywheel and the crankshaft 5 of the main engine.

Two constructions for effecting this predetermined sequence of operation are disclosed in the drawings, one being shown diagrammatically in Fig. 2, and the second in Fig. 3. Referring first to Fig. 2, the sequence control means includes a second solenoid ||3 having a magnetizable plunger I |4 insulated from but mechanically connected with a spherical member ||5 loosely held by resilient fingers ||6 projecting from the end of a rod ||1 which passes through a dashpot ||8 having the usual plunger ||9 and restricted vent |20, the degree of restriction and hence the time constant of the dash-pot being regulable through manipulation of an adjusting screw |2I. At the lower end rod I|1 connects with a current conducting member |23 from which it is insulated as indicated at |24, the said member |23 being normally held in engagement with parts |26 and |21 by the action of the switch closing spring |28 or by virtue of the weight of the parts ||9, ||1 and |23. As shown, parts |26 and |21 are parts of the circuit from the current source |29 from which both the solenoids I3 and |04 are adapted to receive their energization, the circuit including also the switch previously referred to as mounted in the casing IOI. The latter switch includes a pair of stationary contact elements or terminals |32 and |33 adapted to be engaged by pins |34 and |35 respectively, the said pins being integral parts of the current conducting rim |36 of a disc |31 normally held in the open circuit position by the action of a torsion spring |38 coiled about the previously described rock shaft 98 and having one end fastened thereto as indicated at |39, and the opposite end abutting a fixed pin |40. An operative connection between the rock-shaft 98 and the switch ring |36 preferably takes the form of a pin |4I, projecting from the said shaft 98 and adapted to bear against a second pin |42 secured to the central, or non-conducting part of the disc |31, whereby movement of the rock-shaft for the previously described purpose of shifting flywheel I6 into engagement with clutch element 51, also operates to bring contacts |34 and |35 into engagement with terminals |32 and |33 respectively, and at thesame time, incidentally, causes the switch element |44 to swing into engagement with terminals |45 and |46 of the circuit from the magneto 18 to the ignition plug of the engine 9, such swinging of the shaft 98 being in opposition to the tendency of the spring |38 and being brought about (as previously suggested) by actuation of the operator's link |03.

2,225,939 APreferably those parts that have been described as fixed or stationary, and this includes parts |40, |32 and |33, are rigidly lsupported by housing (Fig. 1) as are also the magneto circuit terminals |45 and |46.

The circuit closing action just described resuits in passage of current to both the solenoid I I3 and the solenoid |04 through the connections indicated at |48, |49, |50, |5| and |52; but, due to the inclusion of a resistance element |53 in the portion of the circuit passing through the winding |04, there is a time delay in the building-up of an effective current in this branch of the circuit, due to the inductance of the coil |53. For this reason, as well as for the additional reason that the added resistance of the coil |53 cuts clown the amount of current drawn by this branch of the circuit as compared to the greater current draw of the lower resistance branch of the circuit which passes th-rough the solenoid H3, the

I solenoid II3 is more readily effective to create a magnetic eld sufficiently strong to raise the plungers |I4 and IIl against the opposition of spring |28, thereby breaking the circuit to the solenoid |04 (at the point |23) prior to development of any appreciable magnetic field therein. As a result of this break at |23, the actuation of plunger |06 is delayed pending the completion of the following actions:

First, the raising of the plunger rods II4 and 4to the point which brings the plunger-H9 into abutment with the upper rim of the dashpot I| 8;

Secondly, the release of the ball II5 from the fingers ||6 due to the continued energization of the winding I|3 and the resultant continued upward pull upon the rod I I4 while the plunger rod I II remains held with the plunger II9;

Thirdly, the descent of the plunger |I9, now

l Ithat the ball has released itself, such descent being retarded by a predetermined amount according to the setting of the vent controlling screw |2|;

Fourth, the return of the contact |23 to the circuit closing position indicated (as the plunger II9 completes its downward stroke) A and energization of the solenoid |04 by virtue of such closing of the switch |23. 4

The energization of the solenoid |04 is now effective to draw the plunger |05 to the left as viewed in Fig. 1 and through the previously described connections |0 6, |08, |09, 30a, and 30, the clutch member 26 has moved into mesh with the engine member 21 and is immediately effective to transmit to said engine member the energy which has been by this time stored in sufficient amount in the flywheel I6, it being understood that the latter has remained drivably connected with the accelerating engine |0 during the time interval of delay in the actuation of the solenoid |04. The delivery of lthis stored energy to the engine member 5 and the resultant starting of the latter under its own power, is of course', the signal for the operator to release the rod |03 thereby permitting spring |38 to return switch contacts |34, |35 and |44 to the open circuit positions indicated in Fig. 2 thereby de-energizing both solenoids II3 and |04 and permitting spring to return the elements 30a, |09, |03 and |06 to the normal inoperable positions shown in Fig. 1, such return being concurrent with the starting of the engine under its own power and the resultant return of the rod 30 and the clutch element 26 to the demeshed positions due to the overrunning action of lthe threads on shaft 23.

The de-energization of the solenoid I I3 brought about by the breaking of the circuit at |34, |35 permits the ball I'I5 to return byl gravity into the socket |I6 thus restoring the time delay mechanism to the normal position. Also the flywheel I6 is returned tothe normal position, that is the disengaged position indica-ted in Fig. 1 by the action of the spring |38 upon rock-shaft 98 and yoke 96 as soon as the operator has released the rod |03.

In place of the time delay mechanism shown in Fig. 2 there may be substituted the arrangement shown in Fig. 3 which differs from that of Fig. ,2 principally in the addition of a third solenoid |54 and armature |62 adapted to be attracted upon energization of the solenoid |54 and also adapted to be mechanically actuated by an extension |63 of the plunger II4', the latter corresponding to the plunger |I4 of Fig. 2. As shown, the armature |62 has sliding contact with a segment |55 constituting part of the circuit to the solenoid II3, the latter corresponding to the solenoid ||3 of Fig. 2. All other parts shown in Fig. 3 are designated by reference characters similar to those designating the corresponding parts in Fig. 2.

The operation of the time delay mechanism of Fig. 3 is as follows: y

Upon closure of the switch |34, |35 current flows simultaneously through the windings |54, II3 and I 04 but the latter, just as in the arrangement of Fig. 2, fails to build up a sufliciently strong magnetic field prior to stoppage of the current flow 'by virtue of the opening of the circuit thereto at the point |23. Meanwhile, armature |62 and plunger rod II 1 continue their upward movement until the armature passes off the segment 55 and thereby de-energizes the coil \I|3'. This de-energization of the coil II3 permits the plunger I |9 to begin its descent at the restricted rate permitted by the adjustment |2| and results finally in the re-closing of the switch |23 and the energization of the solenoid |04, fromk which point the operation is exactly as previously described -with particular reference to Figs. l and 2.

In order to provide for occasions when the aid of the starting engine 9 is considered unnecessary, and in order to make it possible to Obtain the benefit of the iiywheel I6 without the attendant disadvantage of the drag of the engine crankshaft I2 and the clutch 51 on such occasions of non-use of the engine 9, a second means of operating the switch |34, |35 is provided, said second operating means being adapted to operate said switch |34, |35 independently of the flywheel actuating rock-shaft 98. As shown, in Figs. 2 and 3 this second means takes the form of an arm |60 projecting through an opening in the housing 99 of the switch and having operative connection directly with the disc |31, whereby movement of the arm will cause oscillation of said disc without any corresponding movement of the rock-shaft (98. In this manner the solenoid |04 may be energized to shift the member 26 into 'engine engaging position after suitable acceleration of the flywheel and without the necessity of connecting said ywheel with the member 51.

Other applications of the mechanism, together with changes in the form, detailsof construction and arrangement of parts will now be apparent to those skilled in the art, and may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. Reference is therefore to be had to the appended claims for a deiinition of the limits of the invention. l

This application is a division of my co-pending application No. 754,531 led November 23, 1934, the said application having matured as Patent No. 2,095,236, granted October l2, 1937.

Whatis claimed is:`

1. The combination with a pair of clutch elements to be drivenl of a driving element `independent of both said clutch elements, means for coupling said driving element to one of said clutch elements, and additional means for coupling said driving element to the other of said clutch elements, said last named means including a part operating Within a predetermined time after and in response to the operation of said rst named coupling means.

2. The combination with a pair of clutch elements, of adriving element independent of both said clutch elements, means for coupling said driving element to one of said clutch elements, additional means for coupling said driving element to the other of said clutch elements, said last named means including an electromagnetic device, a circuit controlling energization of said electromagnetic device, and means for closing said circuit Within a predetermined time after the operation of said rst named coupling means.

3. The combination with a pair of clutch elements, of a driving element independent of both said clutch elements, means for coupling said driving element to one of said clutch elements, additional means for coupling said driving element to the other of said clutch elements, said last named means including an electromagnetic device, a circuit controlling energization of said electromagnetic device, means for closing said circuit within a predetermined time after the operation of said rst named coupling means, said circuit closing means including a normally closed switch, means responsive to operation of said first named coupling means to move said switch to the open position, and opposing means for thereafter returning said switch to the closed position.

4. The combination with a pair of clutch elements, of a driving element independent of both said clutch elements, means for coupling said driving element to one of said clutch elements, additional means for coupling said driving element to the other of said clutch elements, said last named means including an electromagnetic device, a circuit controlling energization of said electromagnetic device, means for closing said circuit within a predetermined time after the operation of said iirst named coupling means, said circuit closing means including a normally closed switch, means responsive to operation of said rst named coupling means to move said switch to the open position, opposing means for thereafter returning said switch to the closed position, and dashpot means for retarding operation of said opposing means.

5. The combination with a pair of clutch elements having clutch engaging means associated therewith, of a second pair of clutch elements, and means including a part operating within a predetermined time after the operation of said engaging means for said first pair of clutch elements, to produce engagement of said second pair of clutch elements, said last named means including an electromagnetic device, a circuit controlling energization of said electromagnetic device, and means for closing said circuit Within a predetermined time after the operation of said engaging means for said rst pair of clutch elements.

6. The combination with a pair of clutch elements having clutch engaging means associated therewith, of a second pair of clutch elements, and means including a part operating within a predetermined time after the operation of said engaging means for said first pair of clutch elements, to produce engagement of said second pair of clutch elements, said last named means including an electromagnetic device, a circuit controlling energization of said electromagnetic device, means for closing said circuit Within a predetermined time after the operation of said engaging means for said iirst pair of clutch elements, said circuit closing means including a normally closed switch, means responsive to operation of said engaging means to move said switch to the open position, and opposing means for thereafter returning said switch to the closed position.

7. The combination with a pair of clutch ele- 'ments having clutch engaging means associated therewith, of a second pair of clutch elements,

and means including a part operating within a predetermined time after the operation of said engaging means for said first pair of clutch elements, to produce engagement of said second pair of clutch elements, said last named means including an electromagnetic device, a circuit controlling energization of said electromagnetic device, means for closing said circuit Within a predetermined time after the operation of said engaging means for said iirst pair of clutch elements, said circuit closing means including a normally closed switch, means responsive to operation of said engaging means to move said switch to the open position, opposing means for thereafter returning said switch to the closed position, and dashpot means for retarding operation of said opposing means.

HOWARD BAER. 

